At Therapy Talk, we see our clients 100% virtually. In the beginning, we were concerned we may not get the same benefits as in-person therapy or would “miss out” on connection but we have been happily surprised!
After a long day at work as you’re shifting to everything you have to do at home, it can be challenging to find time for therapy. Now, you can see therapists online, from the comfort of your safe space. Going into an office can be anxiety provoking and stressful. This is a barrier of the past with online therapy. You can dress comfortably, prop up your feet on your couch and still get the support you need.
- The internet helps mental health be more accessible
The days of rushing out of work to maneuver through traffic as you get to your therapy appointment are over! Online therapy makes services more accessible than ever before. This online access can help those who have deterred from seeking services in the past simply because they didn’t have the time with busy lifestyles. It also gives access to those who live in rural areas where there may not be a wide selection of therapists to choose from. You can now see any clinician licensed in your state with online therapy and many therapists are even seeking licensure throughout several states.
- Research shows online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy
Many studies conducted before and after the pandemic suggest that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for most mental health disorders. Consistency in treatment due to fewer cancellations and no-shows yield better outcomes. In 2018, a meta-analysis compared the effectiveness of online and in-person therapy for depression and several types of anxiety, such as social anxiety. They found that online CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) was just as effective as in-person CBT for treating anxiety and depression.
- Online therapy can provide an easy avenue for getting started
Going into an office for therapy can be stressful, and that fear alone can be enough to deter individuals from seeking services. Online therapy provides a safe platform for those wanting to “try out” therapy because you have nothing to lose. Booking a session is fast and completing consent forms online makes it easier to start connecting with your therapist right away.
- You can schedule therapy sessions at times that are most convenient for you
Online therapy gives us freedom and more availability. Evening and weekend appointments are now possible due to low overhead costs for clinicians and the comfortability of attending sessions on from various places. Having access to an online platform for therapy allows for sessions even later than traditional business hours, after you’ve settled down from work and even put your kids to sleep.
